Tuesday, 12 August 2014

An Order of Battle is an important piece of military knowledge, which enables a researcher or analyst to make certain fact based assessments about the make up of an army and how a field force lines up in battle.

To researchers of the First World War, it provides vital information and understanding about the units deployed to certain arenas of war. This is significant now, as we try to understand how the Sikh regiments were represented in the British Indian Army in 1914.

Acknowledging this enables us today to fully appreciate the huge sacrifice of the Sikhs - a race of people that despite being just 1% of the population at the time were represented in a third of all native British Indian regiments.

Having researched the OrBat of the British Indian Army, the below film depicts for the first time how they were organised. It shows solely the line up of regiments containing Sikhs, white units and non-Sikh units are not included for the purposes of the film:

The Sikhs made up a significant part of the forces, we know. Their were Sikh class-based regiments as well as Sikhs serving in mixed-class Punjabi regiments.

Within the cavalry, we can pick out the the 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse) as one regiment with a rich military history; earning battle honours at Arracon, Sabroan, Egypy and Tel-el-Kebir. It's composition consisted of x1 Sikh, x1 Rajput, x1 Jatt (Hindu), x1 Hindustani Muslim squadrons. The regiment would play a key role throughout the war on the western front, fighting at La Basee, Givenchy, Neuve Chapelle, Festubert, Somme, Morval and Cambrai.

Within the infantry, the 9th Bhopal had a battle honour from Afghanistan 1878. The regiment consisted of x2 Sikh, x2 Rajput, x2 Brahman and x2 Muslim double-company squadrons (a unique Indian set up, consisting of around 80 soldiers). The regiment went from India to serve in France but in 1915 was moved to Egypt and then Mesopotamia.

In total, according to my research, the Sikhs were represented in x29 cavalry regiments and x54 infantry regiments. To this we can add the x2 Sappers and Miners.

That means a total of 83 regiments contained Sikhs - either as a wholly Sikh class-based regiment or with Sikh squadrons or double-companies.

This is an immense contribution - unseen anywhere else by any other racial grouping.

It is inspiring and something we British Sikhs in particular should be extremely proud of.

Friday, 8 August 2014

Fifteen years, half of my lifetime thus far, have passed since I attended an event that stands out in shaping my self-confidence as a British Sikh. And in this review of the new exhibition "Empire, Faith and War" I must begin in the spring of 1999.It was the tercentenary of the birth of the Sikh brotherhood - the Khalsa; and as a teenager i was active with my schools Sikh society. I thought it would be a great idea to visit with fellow students a new exhibition everyone in my community was talking about. And so one Saturday with a teacher and a minibus eagerly arranged we embarked upon a trip from Birmingham to London.

The exhibition we visited was the groundbreaking "Arts of the Sikh Kingdom" at the prestigious V&A. It was the first time the jewels of the Sikh faith were on display and a rare event for a mainstream museum to be hosting a closer examination of the Sikhs.

As a band of young impressionable men (I went to a boys grammar school) we were moved by the treasures and history we saw before our eyes. I bought a copy of the inspirational "Warrior Saints" book with my pocket money, and it was from there that my desire to read and delve into Anglo-Sikh history and heritage began.

Just like Amandeep Singh Madra and Parmjit Singh, who were featured in the BBC1 documentary series "The Sikhs" on Vaisakhi that year, I too wanted to write and research about Sikhs. I'd like to think as a mainstream journalist (and one who has produced independent projects alongside organizations such as the Arts Council, as well as events in prestigious venues such as Parliament and RMA Sandhurst) that that visit and iconic book sparked my drive to tell the Sikh story to mainstream audiences.

These thoughts were at the forefront of my mind as I missed the launch of the "Empire Faith and War" exhibition in the Brunei Gallery at SOAS some weeks ago, due to a foreign work commitment. But on Thursday at the regular late night opening of the exhibit I finally made a visit with my family. And, to my secret delight, was given an introduction to the exhibition and project by the UKPHA Chairman Amandeep Singh Madra.

It might be awkward, as a researcher, to look upon someone else's hard work and efforts on the very subject you both work on. But I felt no such discomfort, as what I found at the EFW exhibit, as an insider to the Sikh WW1 story, was yes familiar but nonetheless an immensely satisfying and highly produced revelation of the contribution of the Sikhs during the war effort.

Knowing the world of history and heritage, and having had many online exchanges with Amandeep, I was immediately struck by the depth of research and imagery the UKPHA team had uncovered. Many new images I had not seen before alongside new videos from the era.

It is a testament to their hard work and continuous effort to delve, find, preserve and promote these treasures of knowledge which would otherwise be hidden or little understood. And a sign of their dedication that since their work on the original "Warrior Saints" in 1999 the team has progressed to become, undoubtedly, the leaders in their field of researching and producing content on Anglo-Sikh history and heritage. Bravo!

The story of the WW1 Sikh contribution as told through the exhibit unfolds in a way that lends itself to fascination and interest - how could a minority community have paid such a heavy sacrifice during the war effort. Being just 1% of the Indian population at the time (I had gone with 2% but will now look to reexamine the figure) the Sikhs made up a disproportionate amount - 20% - of the British Indian Army.

The audience is taken on parallel journeys, quite literally with the early WW1 element running alongside another about the empire of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, to be given a fuller picture of how a community of warriors went from sworn enemies of the British to the staunchest of allies. The splendid and abundant Toor Collection makes up the bulk of the physical heritage on display of that period, from an extremely rare coin of the first Sikh kingdom to the Maharajas sword and shield. Yet it is the fascinating X-rays of the wounds Sikhs suffered during the war, graciously lent from the Royal Collection by Her Majesty, that one gets a truer sense of the scale of this exhibit - it is a phenomena in itself. No stone has been left unturned in narrating how the Sikhs contributed to the First World War and how they and their families back at home were affected. From the Western Front through to Mesopotamia via campaigns in Gallipoli, Jerusalem, East Africa... it all unravels to make sense of their sacrifice.

The exhibition is a journey every person (Sikh or non, history enthusiast or not) should undertake as we mark the First World War and seek ways of better understanding the various elements of the conflict and the people involved in it. In better understanding the Sikh story one get's a real appreciation of how the community has got to where it has today, as crucial players in British society and economy.

Visiting with my family was memorable - my 16 month old ran around looking at the sights (exclaiming her favourite phrase "oh wow" whenever she saw something she liked) and it presented an opportunity to enthuse upon our next generation the importance of our history. I recommend others take their families too - and if you have any children or young relatives take them with you as it will no doubt shape their understanding and self-confidence as British Sikhs much in the same way the "Arts of the Sikh Kingdom" did for me when I was growing up.

It is too easy to be critical of such hard works, the only doubt expressed in my mind about the experience was on overhearing a tour guide stating an incorrect fact (on the composition of the 36th Sikhs) as well as the hanging question mark I had about the practical ways the Sikh code of conduct was enacted by the soldiers - which in itself requires more research and reading.

But I must offer this critique for balance - that the space for the exhibit does not do it justice. I do not doubt that with a larger room better laid out the UKPHA team could fill it with more riches of our history and rather than offering what in places is a general introduction to elements of the Sikh effort (such as with the campaign outside of Europe) could present more depth. Perhaps that is their intention or desire as they continue this project over the next few years.

Finally, I so wanted to take something away with me - in the form of a book - of their research and images on the WW1 Sikhs and the behind-the-scenes story of how they made such a wonderful exhibition happen. Perhaps this is something they are working on - I'd love to buy it. There were books on sale, but some of these have been a turn-off for me because of the connection they've had with the sanatanist Nidar Singh. Though that should not in any way impact upon the view of UKPHA as the pioneers of bringing Anglo-Sikh heritage to the masses.

I do not doubt that, like me many years ago, there are many many more young impressionable men and women out there yearning for this power of knowledge - who inspired by such national events will progress the cause of the British Sikh community. They should see this exhibition and be proud of their communities heroism during the war - and of the awesome work of UKPHA in keeping their story alive.

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'Empire, Faith & War' is a project of the UK Punjab Heritage Association (UKPHA) and is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). Learn more here: www.empirefaithwar.com and follow them on Twitter via @gt1588

Friday, 1 August 2014

A team of University of Birmingham PhD students have undertaken the marvelous task for the WW1 centenary anniversary of re-creating the old "Southern Cross" War Hospital Magazine.

The magazine was published in Birmingham between 1916-18, and featured stories jokes and graphics from injured soldiers and their families.

Birmingham has a rich heritage of caring for the war injured - from the first Southern Cross War Hospital to the new Department of Defence Medicine at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

So I was delighted to have been invited to contribute an article to the centenary magazine; not only to support this initiative as a proud Brummie but also because the creators wanted to reflect upon the rich contribution of Sikhs who fought in a city where the Sikh impact is truly visible.

The magazine is free and available from BBC Mailbox, University of Birmingham and the QE Hospital.

For more information on the Forward 100: Birmingham At War project here.

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Renewing Our Sikh chronicles.

By J. Singh-Sohal

Director, www.SikhsAtWar.info

A hundred years ago, thousands of Sikhs left their villages
and towns to travel across the ocean with the British Indian Army to fight in a
faraway land they had never imagined they would see.

They knew that in serving the British they were fighting for
a just cause; they had grown up on the chronicles of valour of how their forefathers
had fought against the foreigners who now ruled their lands, but they had no
hesitation in believing that the British cause was righteous and just.

And it was in doing this duty that they felt connected with
their martial tradition – one which stemmed back to the times of the Sikh Gurus
who had established the doctrine of a Sikh being both a saint and soldier;
merging spiritual virtue with temporal power to create a race of people ever
ready to fight against tyranny. Who
would stand out in the world as distinct, with flowing beards and tall turban alongside
the articles of faith carried as part of their code of conduct, or reht maryada.

The British Indian Army embraced the Sikhs and the source of
their prowess, acknowledging the hairy turbanned warriors as a martial race,
indeed ensuring only those baptised into the Sikh brotherhood – the Khalsa – served. The British even raised class-based regiments
of Sikhs so the band of brothers could fight alongside their kinsmen and be
properly administered according to their customs in the field.

So it was no surprise that at the onset of the Great War,
the rallying cry of the Sikhs was the loudest amongst all the native tribes of
India, of which they were a minority.

In total up to 130,000 Sikhs fought during the conflict, and
their contribution deserves greater praise when considering that despite being
only 2% of the population of India at the time they made up 20% of the Indian
army in action.

The Sikhs were represented in 29 cavalry and 54 infantry
regiments – more than even the Gurkhas – in Sikh regiments as well as
mixed-class Punjabi regiments where they were barracked alongside Hindus and
Muslims.

The Sikhs took to the war with great gusto because they
believed it was their opportunity to show the world the creed of the
Khalsa. Writing of the war on the
western front in January 1916, Signaller Kartar Singh summed up the feeling: “We shall never get such another chance to
exalt the name of race, country, ancestors, parents, village and brothers, and
to prove our loyalty to the Government.
I hope we shall renew our Sikh chronicles.”

Their necessity to the international war effort is reflected
in that they fought in every arena of the conflict; from the trenches of the
western front to the deserts of Mesopotamia, the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign
to the game of cat-and-mouse played out across vast swathes of East
Africa; Egypt to Jerusalem, Persia to
the North West frontier. They were
stationed in Burma, in Hong Kong and took part in little-known missions such as
in Trans-Caspia.

The Sikhs lived up to their martial traditions and showed
remarkable courage and heroism. This is
best seen in the tally of decorations and medals they amassed during the
conflict between 1914 and 1919: 29% of all Indian Orders of Merit awarded were
to Sikhs, 24% of Indian Distinguished Service Medals awarded were to
Sikhs. They gained 22 Military Crosses
and a host of European gallantry awards such as the French Croix De Guerre,
Rumanian Order of the Crown and Russian Cross of St George.

In
ending his letter home to his village, the brave Kartar Singh echoed the
sentiments of many of his brethren who saw the war as the defining moment of
not just their lives but the reputation of their community: “I pray
to God to give us a chance to meet the foe face to face - to die in battle is a
noble fate.“

For a race of landlocked people, the war and service to the
British took the Sikhs far and wide; it instilled in them the confidence to
spread their wings, to see the world and settle outside of the Punjab in
greater numbers. The clearest indication
of the success of the Diaspora is seen here in Britain, where Sikhs are visibly
noticed in every industry and profession, contributing to the economy and
serving Britain today not just through their martial skills but by serving
others and creating wealth.

Yet, it is the story of the Sikh soldier from whence it all
stems. The loyal confident Sikh ever
zealous about his role in the world, inspired by his faith and identity;
fighting for the British but with the name of God and his Guru in his
heart. The soldier who would sacrifice
for a just cause, the Sikh who would fight to the bitter end – and then some –
to uphold the Khalsa traditions.

This is a living history, it can – and does - inspire a new
generation to stand up and be of service.
It’s what led me to serve Britain as an Army reservist myself. To follow in their footsteps and maintain
the heritage of Anglo-Sikh relations, to be a part of a greater cause and add
value to Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.

We have indeed renewed our Sikh chronicles, and those
inspired to live according to those traditions will continue to renew them into
the future - it binds us to Britain and enables us to be great.